4 steps to Rebuilding Smiles with Dental Implants

Dental implants are a highly versatile solution to missing teeth. They can be used to replace everything from a single tooth (as an implant-supported dental crown), several teeth (as an implant bridge), or all of the teeth (as a complete implant denture). However, one of the most transformative and rewarding opportunities at Garazi Periodontics & Dental Implants involves the latter, full arch prosthetic option. If you have little to no healthy teeth left and are looking for “implant expertise near me in Miami, Florida,” we welcome you! Below are four steps to how we have rebuilt the quality of patients’ lives and overall well-being with full dental implant dentures. 

No. 1: Schedule a consultation. 

This initial is the foundation for treatment. Our specialists, Drs Isaac and David Garazi, will closely examine your mouth during this time. They will assess your needs and discuss your concerns and goals at greater length. As a specialty office, we also have many advanced technologies to lean into, which help to evaluate your suitability for certain treatments accurately. Technologies like 3-D imaging with Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, a sophisticated alternative to standard CT scans, also aid in precision treatment planning. 

No. 2: Prepare your mouth with preliminary treatment(s). 

In advance of the surgical placement of your implants, you may need to undergo additional treatments. Our ultimate priority is your implant-supported prosthetic teeth’ safety and sustained success. To ensure you get the most favorable function and satisfaction from your new teeth, we may need to “rebuild” the bone in the jaw. Bone loss occurs when teeth are not replaced promptly. Like muscles during periods of inactivity, the bone in the jaw retreats, too. This process has devastating effects on your oral function and health, quality of life and well-being, and even the appearance of your face. Furthermore, a lack of adequate bone in the jaw can preclude you from implant placement. Why? The implant must have sufficient bone to grow into and secure itself to, or otherwise, the procedure will fail. There will not be enough bone to hold the implant in place, and, in turn, these artificial tooth roots won’t be able to hold the attached prosthetic teeth in place, either. Options to build up bone include grafting and techniques such as sinus lifts and ridge augmentation. Lastly, if you are holding on to failing and aching teeth, we may need to perform extractions, too.

 No. 3: Undergo surgical dental implant placement. 

When your jawbone is healthy and strong, we can move forward with the actual placement of the implants. While the process is associated with only minor and fleeting discomfort, our team appreciates that you may have anxieties about any treatment. So, we are happy to provide sedation dentistry services to keep you relaxed and comfortable. Once you are ready, the implants are inserted precisely into pre-planned locations in the jaw. We may place as few as four implants to support an entire arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Even if you need to replace your teeth in both dental arches, we can perform the surgical service in a single appointment. Depending on the implant system that you choose or need, temporary teeth may be placed on the same day as the actual insertion of each implant. Sometimes, we can even perform extractions and place and restore implants in a single visit as an “immediate” implant approach.

No. 4: Get your implants restored and smile!

Restoration largely involves waiting for the implants and bone to grow together (or osseointegrate), applying an abutment or connector piece, and adding the prosthetic teeth/denture. Osseointegration can take several months, and total healing time varies from patient to patient, as such timing depends on many different variables. The abutment supports the healing of the gummy tissue around each implant. It may be applied at the same time as your implant surgery or during a follow-up visit. The last step in the process is connecting the restoration to the implants. As needed, we may connect bridges or dentures that have been perfectly customized to you. From there, maintain good oral care at home and regular visits to your dentist and, as appropriate, to the Garazi Periodontics & Implants office. With consistent home care and professional services, you keep the tissues around the implants healthy and can enjoy your rebuilt smile for the rest of your life! Call our Miami, FL office at (305) 690-0611 to take the first step.

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